I'll say this again, if you can find a way to shoot a Fulton back to back with a SA, you'll never look back. And this is from a guy who shelled out for an M21. I didn't know about Fulton until after my purchase regrettably. I haven't shot any of the other premium M14 copies so I can't comment on them however. But a caveat; if you're planning on running optics all the time there are better platforms. A joy to shoot with irons tho. And if you want to shoot service rifle make sure it's legal, my M21 isn't because of the trigger group.

I believe that the only downside to a current-production SA M1A is: no chrome-lined bore. In a SHTF situation, that may be important for some folks.
The pre-ban M1A rifles had chrome-lined bores, but it seems SA stopped making them that way.

According to LRB's website, some of the LRB M14 models they offer come with a chrome-lined bore for additional cost.

Several yerar's ago I gave my oldest son my M1A1/M14 along with several hundred rounds of N/M ammo. It was a Springfield National Match that I shot in competition for many years and Made High Master with same. I have no idea what it was worth at the time but I do know that the look on his face when I gave it too him was priceless.
Bill

I would'nt write off the 'lower end' Chinese M14s quite so quick in favor or spending the money on the SAI - there are allot of good options available to your if you look around.

I have a pre-ban Federal Ordnance M14SA that I recently purchased for $1000 OTD. As mods, I put on a USGI walnut stock for for $80, added the USGI slotted handguard for $30, and the faux select fire switch kit for $65 and now I have a real head turner that shoots as good as it looks and I still have hundreds more dollars left in my pocket to spend on ammo. For my intended purpose of range shooting and plinking, it was a whole lot more reasonable of a cash outlay to get what I wanted.

As another note, when I took my rifle into the gun store and held it side by side to the new standard SAI M1A, it was obvious that the stock fit on the M1A is not true to size to the USGI stocks as there was significant wood exposure on the feral and butt plate on the SAI where mine had none. I also noticed on 3 of the 4 SAI rifles they had in stock, they all needed to be shimmed if you wanted to have a good lockup fit. I wouldn't expect to have to do any of that for a rifle in the SAI price range.

I'm not saying they are not exceptional rifles, I'm just saying price doesn't always guarentee a better product and you should balance the cost you willing to pay for it against the intended usage of the firearm to make sure they are aligned ....

Whether you are one who will think the M1a is the cat's meow is your deal. In the mean time, while you are saving your pennies, spend the time studying up on them (there is a ton of info. out there) and find someone willing to share and get to know his rifle.

You're entitled to your opinion, but by buying Chinese products you're giving aid and comfort, to a potential third World War advesary. However, maybe that doesn't make any difference to you...!

Bill

You are also entitled to your opinion, but given that the Chinese made M14s and AKMs have not been imported into this country for almost 2 decades, it's safe to say that the money I and the vast majority of owners spent on these fine rifles gave aid and comfort to American citizens. I'm guessing these facts will also fail to impress you ...

You are also entitled to your opinion, but given that the Chinese made M14s and AKMs have not been imported into this country for almost 2 decades, it's safe to say that the money I and the vast majority of owners spent on these fine rifles gave aid and comfort to American citizens. I'm guessing these facts will also fail to impress you ...

if you are getting it for a SHTF gun, it is an excellent all around weapon, i've seen people use stock models from Springfield 1100+ yards, it is also very devastating for urban combat, but keep in mind a .22 LR is deadly out to 400 as well, those who will argue with that statement have not tested it.. well placed shots will bring any zombie down! It is honestly a great gun for the price though however the ammo catches up, just pick up something that is for your price range and you can use to the best of your ability, if you are just getting something to shoot, it is always good to stay towards .223/7.62 x39.

I've owned two M1A rifles, a Supermatch (high end heavy barreled target model) and a SOCOM 2 w/extended rail that I just posted here recently. Love these guns. You get the power of the 7.62x51 / .308 cartridge, a rotating bolt, and the best iron sights ever put on a rifle. Not as accurate as a bolt action (but what is?), but close. There are lots of hot rod accuracy tricks to do to make your rifle group better than a stock off the shelf rifle. Don't worry about a cast receiver. Had gun manufacturers had the technology to make tough and durable cast receivers from WWII through the Korean conflict, they would have done so then. All Ruger firearms are cast as well. It's accepted technology. Is forged better? Yes, of course. Is it a necessity? No. And with a lifetime warranty it is nice to know that the product will be backed by the factory. Mini 14's resemble an M14 platform but the internals are of different design and an M1A is far more accurate, so you will appreciate that. M1A's do have hiccups however. Replace the extractor right off the bat. Springfield Armory extractors are not durable or reliable. An M1 Garand extractor will fit, a Baretta BM59 extractor will fit, a USGI M14 extractor will fit. It only Costs under $20 bucks and is well worth it.

I've owned two M1A rifles, a Supermatch (high end heavy barreled target model) and a SOCOM 2 w/extended rail that I just posted here recently. Love these guns. You get the power of the 7.62x51 / .308 cartridge, a rotating bolt, and the best iron sights ever put on a rifle. Not as accurate as a bolt action (but what is?), but close. There are lots of hot rod accuracy tricks to do to make your rifle group better than a stock off the shelf rifle. Don't worry about a cast receiver. Had gun manufacturers had the technology to make tough and durable cast receivers from WWII through the Korean conflict, they would have done so then. All Ruger firearms are cast as well. It's accepted technology. Is forged better? Yes, of course. Is it a necessity? No. And with a lifetime warranty it is nice to know that the product will be backed by the factory. Mini 14's resemble an M14 platform but the internals are of different design and an M1A is far more accurate, so you will appreciate that. M1A's do have hiccups however. Replace the extractor right off the bat. Springfield Armory extractors are not durable or reliable. An M1 Garand extractor will fit, a Baretta BM59 extractor will fit, a USGI M14 extractor will fit. It only Costs under $20 bucks and is well worth it.

About the M1A extractor, have you heard of many failures? The reason I am asking is that I have three M1A's, two Super Match models and a Loaded model.

Yes. That's how I found out about it, from web information of owners of new M1A rifles have to be returned multiple times for extraction issues. The more I searched the more the problem was narrowed down to the extractor. If you get a Baretta BM59 extractor and hold it side by side you will see the difference between the two. The Baretta extractor is perfect in every way. Uniformity, cleanliness, polish, finish, hardness, is all superior. It just looks better, no contest. I read that Springfield used to use USGI extractors and started making them in house for cost/availability reasons. Sometimes it works fine. Sometimes it causes lots of headaches. For the cost of a 20 dollar part for the insurance that it probably wont fail, I see it as a worthy investment. Oh, the spring plunger that puts tension on the extractor was very very rough. I stoned it smooth and it just popped in smoothly. Maybe the custom shop guns are better because the price you are paying for includes a smith fitting and polishing moving parts. Not the rack models. Now remember, I'm the kind of person that buys a brand new bicycle, takes it home, and totally dismantles it because it isn't properly lubed and the bearing clearances are too tight. Preventative maintenance is the key. AR rifles are the same way. If you get a bargain model it's going to have issues because it's not fitted properly (by my standards at least). Companies just can't put hours of work into production models at the price point they sell them for. I understand this and am just glad my Father raised me to work with tools in the garage.

Yes. That's how I found out about it, from web information of owners of new M1A rifles have to be returned multiple times for extraction issues. The more I searched the more the problem was narrowed down to the extractor. If you get a Baretta BM59 extractor and hold it side by side you will see the difference between the two. The Baretta extractor is perfect in every way. Uniformity, cleanliness, polish, finish, hardness, is all superior. It just looks better, no contest. I read that Springfield used to use USGI extractors and started making them in house for cost/availability reasons. Sometimes it works fine. Sometimes it causes lots of headaches. For the cost of a 20 dollar part for the insurance that it probably wont fail, I see it as a worthy investment. Oh, the spring plunger that puts tension on the extractor was very very rough. I stoned it smooth and it just popped in smoothly. Maybe the custom shop guns are better because the price you are paying for includes a smith fitting and polishing moving parts. Not the rack models. Now remember, I'm the kind of person that buys a brand new bicycle, takes it home, and totally dismantles it because it isn't properly lubed and the bearing clearances are too tight. Preventative maintenance is the key. AR rifles are the same way. If you get a bargain model it's going to have issues because it's not fitted properly (by my standards at least). Companies just can't put hours of work into production models at the price point they sell them for. I understand this and am just glad my Father raised me to work with tools in the garage.